Steve Carell On Anchorman 2

Steve Carell: "I think there's a little bit of idiot in everybody"

You were probably as psyched as we were for the original KVWN channel 4 gang's return in the most anticipated comedy movie of the year,Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, last December. With the film released on Blu-ray yesterday, we spoke to legendary funnyman Steve Carell about his concerns about playing "Brick" for a second time (not too many), why he loves Kristin Wiig and the hardest scene to shoot (hint: it involved Will Smith).

AM: What made you decide to come back to do another Anchorman?

SC: This is probably the most fun I have ever had working on a movie. I signed on way before we even had a script for the second movie. It was just one of those feel-good ensembles. The gang is great!

AM: Would you say Anchorman 2 is just a continuation of the first one?

SC: Not really. I think they made some pretty big choices in this film. There are references to the first one, but you don’t need to have watched the first one to get the second one.

AM: Was it difficult to get back into that role? Do you have a certain routine?

SC: I had my apprehensions at first. I just didn’t want to do the same stuff all over in the second movie. I wanted to be fresh in this movie. My routine was basically to try to avoid things I did too much in the first movie.

AM: Your character seems to be — let’s say — intellectually challenged at times. Was it difficult for you...

SC: ...to play dumb? Look, this is not Shakespeare. It’s Anchorman! It’s just good ol’ fun. I only said like five lines in the first movie. I was almost a spectator on the sidelines. In all honesty, I feel that “Brick” just wants to be part of the team. He is happy and the team-members are his best friends. He’s a simple man.

AM: But we like all of them, even though they are not necessarily the smartest guys.

SC: That’s exactly what I take away from this movie. They are not even really good at what they are doing, but you forgive them, because you do care about them and their interaction with each other.

AM: In this movie, Brick says more than five words. He even gets a love interest. Were you excited about that when you read that in the script?

SC: Yes, I was very excited. Especially when I found out that it was Kristen (Wiig). She truly is amazing. And she is the funniest person I have ever met in my life. I love about her that she always seems to be playing characters that have good intentions.

AM: Was there a lot of improv going on on the set with people like Will Smith and Paul Rudd around?

SC: We had a very good script from the get-go. And I don’t ever want to take anything away from a good script. But having Will on the set, you can’t help but improvise. That made this whole shoot so much fun. You just never knew what was coming your way.

AM: Which scene in the movie was the hardest one for you to shoot?

SC: Oh, it’s got to be the scene in the lighthouse. Will was just out of control funny that day. I think we all cracked up constantly which didn’t make the crew too happy because it took forever to get the scene in the can. But man, was that a fun day!

AM: If the world ends tomorrow, would you have any regrets?

SC: I can’t complain too much, can I? You know, we are all facing the end one day or another. I say, live a good and prosperous life, make sure your choices count, make them count.

AM: You live a life without scandals and negative headlines in Hollywood. How do you do it?

SC: I hide (laughs). Listen, I am happily married, and I think I was lucky that success came a little later in my life. It’s difficult to handle all the attention when you are a young gun. How can you? I don’t even blame these kids that have a hard time dealing with fame. It’s not normal.

AM: What is your secret to a good marriage?

SC: The ability to compromise and having the ability to laugh at ourselves is huge and works well for me.

AM: Do you mind making fun of yourself?

SC: In real life it’s just how I navigate my day. It’s just who I am. I think there’s a little bit of idiot in everybody and I think some people cover it better than others but I think I am very much a guy who wears his heart on his sleeve.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is available on DVD and Blu-ray now.